Fitness and Its Occupational Correlates: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Healthcare Professionals

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health and all-cause mortality. Healthcare professionals are commonly perceived as a health-conscious population; however, occupational stressors and lifestyle constraints may compromise their own fitness levels. Evidence based on objective physiological assessment in this population remains limited. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 54 staff members. CRF was objectively measured using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET). Occupational factors (workload, sedentary ratio) and sleep quality (PSQI) were assessed via questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent predictors. Results The mean PeakVO2pred% was lower than expected, with significant gender differences in absolute values. Multiple regression revealed that poor sleep quality ( β =-0.33), long weekly work hours ( β =-0.29), high sedentary work ratio ( β =-0.25), and excessive screen time ( β =-0.22) were independent negative predictors of CRF. Conclusions Despite high exercise literacy, healthcare professionals exhibited suboptimal cardiorespiratory fitness, reflecting a potential “health paradox.” Modifiable occupational and lifestyle factors, particularly sleep quality, workload, and sedentary behavior, play a critical role in shaping CRF. These findings highlight the need for workplace-level public health interventions to preserve cardiorespiratory fitness and promote long-term health among healthcare professionals.